Leeds United turned in one of their most resolute performances of the campaign, grinding out a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa to move six points clear of the relegation zone.
Up against a Villa side chasing Champions League football, the Whites showed real steel. They matched the home side’s tempo, kept their shape defensively and dealt with the pressure in a calm, controlled manner. It was a hard-earned point, important not just for the cushion it creates in the table, but for the belief it continues to build within the group.
Anton Stach’s superb free-kick midway through the first half put Leeds ahead at Villa Park, and for long stretches it looked like that moment of quality would be enough to seal a big away win. However, Tammy Abraham’s late leveller ensured the spoils were shared.
While Leeds were disappointed not to get a win, the weekend’s results mean that the Whites have moved an inch closer to Premier League safety after the performance at Villa Park.
Wayne Rooney drops a fresh relegation verdict after the weekend’s results
West Ham only managed a point against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, and Tottenham lost to ensure Leeds consolidated their position in the league table.
Spurs’ 4-1 defeat against Arsenal pushed them further towards the drop zone, and they have emerged as the surprise relegation contenders this season.
However, Wayne Rooney is not surprised as he doesn’t think Tottenham have the players in their squad to do any better, and they deserve to be in the position they are in.
But he still feels that they are just about good enough to avoid relegation this season, despite not being anywhere close to being one of the better teams in the league.
He said on the BBC’s Wayne Rooney Show: “Tottenham… they are not just a good team.
“You talk about them being a big six club, but actually, when you go through their squad of players, they are probably in a position where they should be.
“I just don’t think the players are just not good enough to compete at the top end of the Premier League.”
“I think they will be fine. I don’t think they will get relegated.
“But they are down there like last season.
“They are just about good enough not to get relegated.”
Leeds are marching towards safety
Even though they were denied late on, it still turned out to be a positive weekend for Leeds, with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham both losing, while West Ham could only draw with Bournemouth.
Stach’s goal had looked like it would settle the contest, and had Leeds seen it through, it might have virtually sealed their Premier League survival.
| Pos | Club | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |  Leeds United |
27 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 37 | 46 | -9 | 31 |
| 16 |  Tottenham Hotspur |
27 | 7 | 8 | 12 | 37 | 41 | -4 | 29 |
| 17 |  Nottingham Forest |
27 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 25 | 39 | -14 | 27 |
| 18 |  West Ham United |
27 | 6 | 7 | 14 | 32 | 49 | -17 | 25 |
| 19 |  Burnley |
27 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 29 | 52 | -23 | 19 |
| 20 |  Wolverhampton Wanderers |
28 | 1 | 7 | 20 | 18 | 51 | -33 | 10 |
That said, in the bigger picture, taking a point away at a Villa side chasing Champions League football is a very solid result for a team fighting at the bottom end of the table.
It was another disciplined and determined display that strengthened Leeds’ survival credentials and underlined why they’re no longer widely tipped for relegation.
There’s plenty to be encouraged by, and on performances like this, not many would confidently bet against Leeds securing their top-flight status this season.
